Manly's disappointment over the 22-10 loss to the Rabbitohs has deepened after the NRL fined the club $10,000 over Geoff Toovey's comments.

Getty Images: Tony Feder

The NRL has issued Manly with a breach notice, giving them a $10,000 fine for Geoff Toovey's post-match comments about the officiating in the Sea Eagles' loss to South Sydney.

Manly coach Toovey questioned the standard of refereeing in the league after the 22-10 loss on Friday night, in particular citing the decision not to award a try to Steve Matai in the 52nd minute because of inconclusive evidence of grounding.

"I just think today the officials determined the outcome of the game, not the two teams in the middle" Toovey said after the match.

"Aren't we meant to have the best referees for this game. Are they the best referees we have?".

On Monday afternoon the NRL released a statement outlining the breach notice and the fine for Toovey's outburst.

"I accept that emotion is a big part of our game but that is not an excuse for making unwarranted attacks on match officials," the NRL's head of football, Todd Greenberg, said in the statement.

"There needs to be a balance between coach's expressing their opinions and their emotions and showing respect for the game and the match officials in that process."